Apparatus for dyeing and finishing stockings



Nov. l2, 1940. H. E. BREwlN APPARATUS FOR DYEING AND FTNISHING STOCKINGS Filed oct. 3o, 1937 4 Sheets-Sheet l KR QN ATTORNEYS.

Nov. 12, 1940.

H. E. BREWIN APPARATUS FOR DYEING AND FINISHING STOCKINGS Filed Oct. 30, 1951' 4 Sheets-Sheet 2 -n @pff FIG. 2.

INVENTOR. Har-1"' E. Elr'awn.

ATTORN EYS.

4 Sheets-Sheet 5 QZ/1m|l||||||||||||||||Iranumllulnlnlllulnnnul H. E.. BREWIN APPARATUS FOR DYEING AND FINISHING STOCKINGS Filed OCT.. 3Q, 1937 Nav. 12, 1940.

INVENTOR. E951* Ew'n NOV. 12, 1940. HI E, BREWlN l i v y 2,221,669

APPARATUS FOR DYEING AND FINISHING STOCKINGS Fil`ed OCT.. 30, 1957 4 Sheets-Sheet 4 INVENTOR.

Hafrwj F... Enr E Win ATTO RN EYS.

Patented Nov. l2, 1940 UNITED STATES PATENT OFFICE APPARATUS FOR DYEING AND FINISHING STOCKINGS Harry Edgar Brewin, Pleasantville, N. J., assigner to Brewin Process Corporation, Pleasantville, N. J., a, corporation of New Jersey Application october so, 1937, serial No. 172,032

4-Claimsv (Cl. 68-23) This invention relates to improvements in ping mechanism as it is used for stripping the methods and apparatus for the handling, dyeing, stockings from a group of the forms.

inspection and stripping of stockings, Figure 7 is a side elevation of one of the im- The primary object of this invention is the proved boarding devices whereon the stocking is provision of an improved method and apparatus placed and terlSiOned fOr eicient dyeing- 5 for the facile dyeingand finishing of stockings Figure 8 is a fragmentary view of the upper in groups wherein the stockings are individually end of the boarding device of Figure 7 showing separated. l the preferred method of holding' the upper end A further object of this invention is the proviof the stocking'on the form. l0 sion of improved means for dyeing of stockings Figures 9 and 10 are cross sectional views 10 in movable masses wherein the stockings are intaken substantially on their respective lines in dividually separated. Figure '7 of the drawings.

A further object of this invention is the provi- In the drawings, wherein for the purpose of ilsion of improved means for automatically striplustration is shown only a preferred embodiment ping stockings from a group mass wherein the of the invention, the letter A may generally des- 15 stockings are individually separated. ignate the entire apparatus used for treating the A further object of this invention is the provistockings according to the herein described sion of improved means for mounting stockings method. Spider-like units B are used fOr radifor dyeing. ally supporting a plurality of the boarding forms 2o A further object of this invention is the provior devices C, and a plurality of these Spider-like 2o sion of an improved boarding device for stockforms B are intended to be placed upon a supings. porting shaft C' to form an assembled group in A further object of this invention is the proviunitary arrangement. These group assemblages sion of improved means for the unit mounting of may be generally designated at D and are elestockings in groups wherein the stockings are invated and lowered and moved from place to place 25 dividually boarded and separated so that the by hdists E which are movable along an overhead stockings are in condition for facile performance trolley system F.

of some operation, such as dyeing, drying, in- As shown in Figure 1 of the drawings the apspection, stripping, etc. paratus used for eilicient handling, dyeing and Other objects and advantages of this invention finishing of the stockings includes a dyeing and 30 will be apparent during the course of the followextracting apparatus G; drying apparatus H, ing detailed description. and means K for automatically stripping the In the accompanying drawings,-forming a part stockings from the groups D. of this specification, and wherein similar refer- The following method of preparing stockings ence characters designate corresponding parts for dyeing, finishing and sorting, has been in 35 throughout the several views, vogue for Vmany years and is still universally Figure 1 is a diagrammatic view representing practiced: the different devices and steps in the method of The stockings are received from the knitting boarding, dyeing, d rying and stripping stockings. machine, shaken apart, and preferably in dozen Figure 2 is a side elevation of a spider-like arpairs are put into muslin bags which are closed 40 rangement whereon are disposed a, plurality of with a numbered pin. These bags with their stocking mounted forms in radial relation upon stockings are delivered to the dye house Aand a hub. boiled and rinsed, taken from the machine, and Figure 3 is a sectional view, showing an imthe liquor extracted. `The stockings in their proved device whereon the forms shown in Figbags are then dyed in a machine where the bags ure 2 are assembled in predetermined numbers. are dumped in haphazard fashion, and subse- Figure 4 is a, cross-sectional view showing a quently the stockings are rinsed and the liquor dye tank, and improved means for dyeing and extracted. The stockings then go to a sorter who eXtIaCtiIlg dye liquor from the stockings while assembles them in identified fashion by num-` mounted in the grouped assemblage shown in bered pins and are then delivered to the boarding 50 Figure 3. department. Prior to boarding, the stockings are Figure 5 is a fragmentary view showing the straightened and placed in damp bags and in a means for automatically stripping stockings from moist environment until ready to board. After their forms. the boarding the stockings are placed on trays Figure 6 is a view showing the improved stripand delivered to the pairers. 55

In the above described method, it is customary to put in goods in excess of 10% of those desired, as allowance for damage done during the present day dyeing methods. The dyeing is notoriously unsatisfactory with this method due to rubbing and chang of the stockings against each other as they are contained in the bags, and the dyeing is very seldom uniform throughout the entire batch of the stockings dyed, due to the compacted mass in which the stockings are packed together for dyeing.

In the new method I prefer to employ a metal boarding form or device C which consists of a at metal body I shaped in the contour of a persons leg, except that the form body is flat, as is usual with such forms. The foot portion II of the form C is provided with a detachable toe I2 similar to that shown in U. S. Patent 1,583,631, so that the number of forms required to be used in the dyeing plant may be held to a minimum inasmuch as the toe portions I2 are interchangeable upon the various boarding forms C.

As an improved feature of my form C I have provided at the upper end of the body portion I0 and in each of the at sides thereof stocking supporting members I5 which are strip-like in form and provided with hooks, pins, or projections I6 in any desired shape. They are arranged in rows and engage the upper end portion of the stocking, preferably a waste portion which will be subsequently described. These supporting members I5 are mounted upon a longitudinally slidable support I1, as shown in Figures '1 to 10 inclusive, mounted within an elongated slot I9 provided in the upper end of the form and dove-tailed with the body III, in a V-shaped arrangement, as shown in Figure 9, so that the support I1 is always located within the slotl I9 and its surfaces lie flush and in the same plane with the outer surfaces of the body I Il. Some means is provided for normally urging the slide I1 towards the top end of the boarding form C, and this preferably is in the nature of a spring 2U which is secured at one end to the upper end.of the body III and at its other end to the slide I1.

Another improved feature of the form C is the provision of a groove 2l extending from the top edge of the body I0 along the: rear thereof and downwardly in continuance along the calf and ankle of the leg, around the heel and the sole portion of the foot and along the removable toe I2; as shown by the dotted lines in Figure '7 of the drawings. This groove 2| is to accommodate the seam of the stocking and hold the stocking against twisting. The seam is shown in position in the groove 2| in Figure 9 of the drawings.

The stocking R is preferably of special construction so as to be adapted to the improved form C, but of course the boarding form C may be used for supporting any stocking. Accordingly the stocking R includes the usual leg portion 25 and it has a welt 26 of any predetermined nature. 'I'he stocking leg and welt are of course knitted of any predetermined number of courses, one of which constitutes a picot designated at 21 in Figure 8 of the drawings. While on the machine, to the picot course 21 is knitted a waste section 28 preferably of cheap cotton yarn, of any desired length, but preferably just sulcient to enable the supporting members I5 to properly grip the same without injuring any portion of the fabric used in the finished stocking. The

adjacent course of the waste portion 28 is 0I.

course knitted with the picot course 21 by a pull thread designated at 29 in Figure 7 of the drawings. Removal of this pull thread separates the waste portion 28 from the defective portion of the stocking. Dyeing of the stocking in this condition permits the picot edge to be held straight during the dyeing operation, and the cooperation of the stocking tensioning device with the waste section 28 enables stockings of uniform length to be knitted and uniformly tensioned during the dyeing operation so as to insure uniform dye shades.

The spider shaped units B comprise a ringshaped hub 35, preferably of metal and provided with a central opening 38 to receive supporting shaft C therein. The hub has a suitable T-slot to receive the key 36 of the shaft device C'. The periphery of the hub 35 is recessed or slotted to receive the upper ends of the boarding forms or devices C. The hubs 35 are preferably arranged to receive twelve of the boarding forms C and they are clamped rigidly, but preferably detachably, in the slots in the periphery of the hub by means of screws or detachable bolts 31'. If desired these boarding forms C may be rigidly affixed permanently to the hub. The spider-like arrangement of the completed form B is shown in Figure 2.

In Figure 3 the group D comprises the supporting shaft C' whereon a plurality of the spiderlike units B are mounted. This shaft device C' includes a shaft proper 31 having the key 36 longitudinally thereof. It is provided with a plurality of retaining rings 38 which may be held or fixed in desired position upon the shaft body 31 by means of set screws 39, as shown in Figure 3. At one end the shaft body 31 is provided with an eye or hook 4I) attached swivelly to the end of the shaft by anti-friction means 4I. This eye or hook 40 is intended to be releasably gripped by the hoist E in order to lift the group assemblage D and move it from place to place, or support it while in working position.

The spider-like units B are assembled upon the shaft C as shown in Figure 3 and clamped in position between the rings 38 so that they cannot move longitudinally along the shaft.

Describing the cycle of steps will be the best method of describing the rest of the apparatus.

In Figure 1 is shown the board operation which consists of mounting the units B separately upon some support such as 50, shown in Figure 1, and the border then assembles the stockings on the individual boarding forms C as above described, and as shown in Figure 7 of the drawings. As the boarding is completed the spider forms B are assembled upon the shaft C', as shown in the "assemb1ying step shown in Figure 1, and in this position the extreme end of the shaft C is clamped upon a support 5I by a removable cap 52a, so that only one end of the shaft C may be supported and the operator is free to slip the hubs 35 of the spider units B into position, as shown in Figure l.

The next step is preferably the dyeing and liquor extracting step. A single tank is used for performing these two operations. This tank 52 preferably includes a circular body wall and a bottom 53. A perforated false bottom 54 is provided in the tank slightly spaced from the bottom 53 and on which false bottom a step bearing 55 is located for detachably receiving the rotatable end of the shaft C'. The dye liquor is heated by steam which enters the compartment between the bottom 53 and the false bottom 54 through which is only diagrammatically illustrated inv Figures 1 and 4. It may be hinged or ,otherwise secured to the tank and provided with hooks or other Vmeans lso that the hoist may lift it in order to assemble it upon the shaft C'. As shown in Figure 4 of the drawingsy the closure 10 is provided with a rotatable'sleeve 12, preferably centrally located therein which is providedwith an annular groove into which the end'fof a key pin 13 extends to permit rotation of thesleevev 12 in the closure 10 and prevent its longitudinal removal. The sleeve 12 has a gear 15 connected therewith.

In association with the dyeing and liquor ex` tracting apparatus there is a change speedgear box 11 having agear 18. Any suitable `chain of gears 19 may be provided to mesh thegear 15 with the gear 18 so that the closure '10 may be removed. -The chain speed gearing 11 is provided in order that the group assemblage D mayv be rotated at slow speeds while the'stockings are immersed in the dye liquor, and at higher speeds in order to centrifugally remove the liquor.

As shown in Figure 4 the shaft C' is assembled in the sleeve 12 and keyed therewith, since a keyway is provided in the sleeve 12. The hoist mechanism E of course elevates and lowers the shaft C' which forms a part of the group assembly D. Normally, the end of the shaft C rests in the step bearing 55 and in this position the stockings on the units B are immersedin the dye liquor and the latter is heated as above described. After the dyeing operation the liquor may be drained from the tank as by means and the 'change speed gearing set in order to speed up rotation of the shaft C' for the centrifugal removal of excess dye liquid from the stockings on the forms C of .the forms B. In event the dye liquor is not to be removed from the tank, or as an alternative way of centrifugally dehydrating the stockings, the hoist E may support the assemblage D in the position shown in Figure 4 and the change speed gearing arranged to rotate the stockings on the assemblage D atthe proper speed with the forms B arranged above the level of the liquid, as shown in Figure 4. l

After the liquid extracting operation above described, the hoist E moves the group assemblage D to the operator for straightening of the stockings on the boards which have been disarranged during the dyeing operation. The shaft C' in this operation is horizontallyksupported upon standards and 9|, as shown in Figure 1 of the drawings.

The hoist E then transports thek assembly D to the drying tank 92, which is similar in all respects to the tank G, except that a pipe 93 is provided for heating the compartment in the tank 92. The closure 94 is removable and supports a motor 95 for driving the shaft C' at desired speeds. n n

The hoist E next moves the group assembly D to a position for inspection of thestockings.

In this position theV shaft -CA is supported upon j standards 91. It is during this operation that the operatorv willinspect the stockingsA lfor de-A fects and secondsxThe pull cords 29 on perfects are `pulled by theoperator during this operation so that the perfects may be subsequently stripped from the'forms C without'the Of course l if an automatic stripper is vused the inspector,lo

waste portion 28 attached thereto.

will rvalso have to release the stocking engaging and tensioning members i5 on imperfect stockings but the wasteportion 28 is not detached from the stocking; y

The stripping operation may be effected yby hand.r In the preferred arrangement, shownin'y Figures 1, 5 and `6 of'the drawings, the stripper Y. K is arranged'rto automatically strip Leach of the stockings from each ofthe boards C; an intermittent movement being given to the assemblage' Dto permit successive removal of the stockings f from each of the spider units B, and the stripperK itself being* given a preferably vertical.

movement so that it will move from one spider B to the 'next spider'B-,as the stockings are-re-` moved.'` u y The stripperv K'maygenerally be of the construction set forth in U.S. Patents-Nos. 1,126,619;

1,141,777; 1,312,236, and 1,711,334. I A

Since: the stripping `mechanism K is rather conventional in nature it will suflice to say that it includes 'a movable arm f|00 havinggrippers |0| Ywhich, engage the stockingat the foot. Tracks or guide rails |02 define a path of movement of the arm |00. The latter is moved thru gearing. |04 of wellv known construction operating off of a shaft |05. "This drive' shaft |05 exktends into a gear box |06 wherein gearing is provided for properly rotating the shaft |05 and permitting it to drop longitudinally from one spider form B to the other as the stockings are ,stripped therefrom.

In the stripping set-up the assemblage D is rotatably mounted in a step bearing ||0 and driven by gearing ||2 which operates out of the gear box |06, as shown in Figure 1.

If desired the stripping operation may be done manually, or the spider units B separately arranged for the stripping operation, which may be accomplished as set forth in the above described stripping patents.

From the foregoing description of this invention itis apparent that an improved method for the efficient dyeing of stockings or other articles has been provided wherein economy of space, time, and expense are of prime consideration. The stockings are appreciably more efiiciently dyed than with present methods, with a consequent minimum loss of the product as seconds Among other advantages the improved method and apparatus have the following:

The merchandise being placed on the boards in the raw state instead of after dyeing saves a great many seconds" caused by the present method of handling. An infallible count is maintained, thus eliminating losses due to mistakes and thefts. l

The use of nets and other containers and consequent loss of time in bundling the stockings accommodate as many stockings as necessary or as iew as desired.

The production in dyeing is greatly increased due to quick processing and the elimination of redyes, since tangling and distorting of fabric is entirely eliminated.

With the present method 1 to 2% overage to assure lling of the complete order considerably reduces the excess number of stockings necessary, since the overage with present used methods is approximately 10%.

From a merchandising standpoint the finish produced from the improved apparatus and method is vastly superior to ilnishes obtained upon stockings dyed according to present methods. in that it is possible to keep the wale of the stocking straight during the dyeing operation; the thread or yarn stitches are maintained in their normal condition and chang and rubbing of the stockings is entirely eliminated. In fact the stocking dyed according to the improved method has the appearance of an ingrain stocking, or one manufactured from previously dyed yarns.

Miscellaneous other advantages are speeding up of the dyeing operation; maintenance of uniform lengths; reduction in mending operation,

and elimination of weaknesses throughout the.

stocking.

Various changes in the steps of the method herein set forth and changes in the apparatus may be made to the herein described method and forms of invention without departing from the spirit of the invention or the scope of the claims.

I claim: l

1. In a device for the grouping of individually boarding stockings and the like for compactly performing operations such as dyeing and inish-k ing, the combination of a plurality of units each including an apertured hub having a plurality of boarding forms peripherally extending therefrom, a shaft for receivingthe hubs thereon for disposal of the units in compact parallelism, and means on the shaft for accommodating a varying number of said units and clamping the same in securely and compactly attached relation thereon.

2. In apparatus for the dyeing of stockings and the like, the combination of a tank adapted to receive a dye liquor bath, means for boarding and supporting a plurality of stockings in a grouped relation, and means for rotatably supporting the said group of stockings while boarded in the tank for rotation at dierent levels within the bath or above the bath.

3. In apparatus for dyeing and finishing stockings, the combination of a plurality'of thin flat relatively detachable supporting discs, a peripheral series of stocking boarding forms around eachvof said fiat discs and lying in the same plane therewith, and means to detachably hold said discs with the forms thereon together as a group with the forms out of relative contact and with the discs in axially aligned stacked relation.

4. Apparatus for dyeing stockings comprising a support, means for positioning stocking boarding forms detachably on said support in indi' vidual closely spaced relation, a tank for receiving a dye liquor solution, and means mounting the support in the tank together with the stock-` ing boarding forms thereon on a rotatable vertical axis. 1

HARRY EDGAR BREWIN. 

